Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and clear weather for the day.
🧐 Did you know? Between 1926 and 1939, Madras University published the Tamil Lexicon dictionary. It’s regarded as the first among dictionaries published in any Indian language.
🚇 Encouraging more Metro footfall
Longtime metro passengers were rewarded as part of an initiative to encourage more footfall.
What’s it about? Some longtime metro passengers were surprised with a ₹2,000 prize for being loyal customers. The initiative was launched by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited to encourage more people to use the metro. So far, 400 people have been rewarded.
- At the AFC gates where the smartcards are tapped, officials have information on the highest number of trips per month, the most recharged cards, and new ones.
- The highest number of trips was 104. Three people took between 80 and 100 trips in a month. Previously, 30 passengers were chosen for a prize. Now, it’s only 10 due to a lack of sponsors.
Ticket price initiatives: The Chennai metro has introduced several schemes to increase footfall. Except for tokens bought at the counters, all other ticketing forms have a 20% discount. This includes tickets brought through WhatsApp, smartcards, and the app.
🎟️ Zoo ticket prices hiked
Ticket prices for Vandalur Zoo will soon double to help in maintenance and improvement.
What’s it about? Per a pending government order, the ticket price for entry into the Vandalur Zoo will increase from ₹100 to ₹200. The last time ticket prices were revised was in 2019. The new price is higher compared to New Delhi’s zoo rate of ₹110 and ₹60 for the Mysuru Zoo.
- The ticket prices don’t include ₹1,550 for the battery-operated vehicle and ₹200 for the lion safari. The additional money will help officials maintain the zoo with better equipment.
- Current footfall to the zoo is about 2,500-3,000 on weekdays and between 7,500 and 10,000 on weekends. The zoo spends about ₹6 crore on food and animals and ₹7 crore on salaries and maintenance.
Future plans: The zoo will get modern medical equipment, improved signage, and better enclosures in the coming weeks. The zoo will also use better technology for its entertainment and educational programmes.
🎨 Understanding art
The Art Hive’s recent masterclass aims to help participants understand the nature and importance of art.
What’s it about? The Art Hive founder Abinaya Devakumar’s goal was to explore and educate people about art. Their most recent two-day masterclass, Wear Your Art, a session on customising denim clothes, was to help people understand the nuances and complexities of art and its various mediums.
- Denim was the chosen fabric since it’s easy to work with and versatile. Participants learn about the medium of art, the tools like paints and brushes. Painting with hands gives the pieces a personal touch.
- For scaling and proportion, real references were used and simplified so anyone could understand them. There’s a step-by-step guide for tracing, drawing, and copying the real structure, so it’s easy to follow and execute.
Goals and ambitions: The programme intended to connect with the participants. Each masterclass will have something innovative and creative. There are plans to have a Wes Anderson-inspired workshop next month.
🏘️ Record real estate sale
TVS Emerald recorded ₹438 crore worth of sales on its launch day.
What’s it about? The real estate developer’s TVS Emerald Elements launched to big success with ₹438 crore worth of sales. The project is located in Kovilambakkam and recently won the “Best Architectural Plan of the Year” Award at the FICCI-REISA summit.
- The project sold 448 homes on launch day, the largest in the last decade for the city. It’s spread over 6.56 acres and has 820 homes built over a total saleable area of over 9.9 lakh square feet.
- At the heart of the project is a central podium spanning 35,000 square feet. It has a tree house, a butterfly garden, an outdoor gym, and a zen garden.
Just the beginning: According to CEO and Director of TVS Emerald Sriram Iyer, the company has more planned launches for Chennai and Bengaluru. It wants to expand and strengthen its presence in South India.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Did you learn arts and crafts as a subject in school?
- I learnt arts and crafts as a subject in school.
- I didn’t learn arts and crafts as a subject in school.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your preferred consumer electronics brand?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Smart meters could soon be installed by Tangedco since thousands are going defective in several areas.
- Sewage pipeline work will begin after police and Corporation officials came to an agreement with Thalankuppam Colony and Nettukuppam residents.
- The Chennai Corporation’s plans for the Kovalam Basin integrated stormwater project have been scrapped in some areas.
- Comic-Con will have its first Chennai edition next February.
- Commuters are unhappy with the decision to scrap 25 suburban trains in the new timetable.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been a victim of online financial fraud: 37.5%
- I haven’t been a victim of online financial fraud: 62.5% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s the best place in the city to go bargain shopping?
Chitra: “Pondy Bazaar platform shops”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!